NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Association for Corporate Growth Orange County chapter ("ACG OC") will honor 25 companies at its annual 2014 Awards Gala, which will be held at the Island Hotel on Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m. The signature event, presented by Hughes Marino, will spotlight the highest performing companies across the region, as judged by an independent review panel of academic and business professionals.
Last fall, the organization, which represents professional service advisors and corporate executives throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire, sent out a call for nominations to more than 750 business leaders. ACG OC advisors then conducted a series of candidate interviews, after which a final list of prospective nominees was presented to outside judges for review and formal evaluation.
Out of more than 100 nominations, 25 finalists were selected this year including:
Agility Fuel Systems, American Advisors Group, American HandForge, Astro Pak Corporation, Co-Op Financial Services, Dana Innovations, Diamond Wipes, Enerliance, Galasso's Bakery, Global Language Solutions, Global Realty Services Group, Hoag Hospital, Innova, Mission Landscape Company, Newport Corporation, Newlight Technologies, Operation Technology, Opus Bank, Phoenix Energy Technologies, Phoenix Telecom Solutions, The Bruery, Thoro Packaging, US Storage Centers, Walker Bros Machinery & Moving, and Zumasys.
The competition spans eight different categories, each representing a different facet of corporate growth and development. Institutions represented on the judging panel include: OCTANe, UC-Irvine, Chapman University, Cal CPA, Clean Tech OC, and Tech Coast Venture Network.
"This year marks the 19th anniversary of the signature event. Winners will be announced at a black tie optional event that ACG OC organizers promise will be unlike any that has come before it," says J. Michael Issa, ACG Orange County president and principal of GlassRatner.
"We are building on the great momentum we gained from our program last year by having an independent panel of judges, creating an environment where there will be a high level of interaction among finalists and attendees, and by providing an opportunity for the companies to tell their own stories through video vignettes at the event. All of these elements, along with great support from our sponsors and committee members are what we believe are the perfect recipe for a positive and dynamic experience for everyone," noted Awards Gala co-chair Samantha McDermott, chief marketing officer for Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth P.C.
Event co-chairs Yolanda De La Paz and Maria Hillman echoed, "Let's not forget the fabulous food and wine that will be served at the event. A duet of seabass and braised short-ribs accompanied by top wine picks from ACG's president and sommelier, Mike Issa, are the special ingredients for a corporate awards program you don't want to miss."
In addition to presenting sponsor, Hughes Marino, the following are also supporting: Event Sponsors; Brown Rudnick and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth; Host Sponsors; Bank of America, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC and Sullivan, Curtis & Monroe; and Silver Sponsors; First Bank, SingerLewak, Union Bank and Wells Fargo.
Admission to the event is $195.00 for registered members and $295.00 for non-members. VIP tables are $1,800 and there are a few Silver sponsorships available for $3,000. For more information or to register on-line, please email Email or visit the website at www.acgoc.org.
ACG OC Platinum Sponsors include: Community Bank; Dorsey & Whitney; Deloitte; Hardesty; Hein & Associates; McGladrey; Stradling; U.S. Bank and Meridian Graphics.
ACG OC Gold Sponsors include: ADP; Aon Risk Services Inc.; Echo Media Group; Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP; GlassRatner; Grant Thornton LLP; MarketWired; Robert Half International; Union Bank; White Nelson Diehl Evans LLP; and Windes.
About ACG Orange County
Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth is a global organization with 56 chapters involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. ACG's 14,000 members include professionals from private equity firms, corporations and lenders that invest in middle-market companies, as well as from law, accounting, investment banking and other firms that provide advisory services.
Awards Sponsorship Contact:
Scott Jones
ACG Awards Sponsorship
Email
Press:
Michael Shepherd
ACG OC – Marketing
Email
949-798-5595